ViaSat's Ka-band connectivity system will make its UAV debut on the AAI Shadow M2, says the connectivity provider.
The antennas will undergo a test flight on the tactical UAV by the end of the year with its VR-12 Ka satellite antenna, says the company. The connectivity will be used to transmit information for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) purposes, it says.
It has provided the Ka-band broadband service on other military aircraft, but this marks the first tactical UAV with the system, which provides a throughput of 8 to 10Mbps.
ViaSat also announces that it has won a $21.7 million Lot 14 order for Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminals (MIDS-LVT) for the governments of the USA, Australia, Oman and Thailand. The terminals provide the foundation of the Link-16 network, and the contract was awarded under the MIDS Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract.
Source: Flight Daily News
